Brandon Nakashima to Pursue Professional Career

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia men’s tennis player Brandon Nakashima (San Diego, Calif.) has announced that he will not be returning to the University in the spring as he will be pursuing a professional tennis career.
 
During the 2019 season in Charlottesville, Nakashima garnered All-ACC First Team distinction. He added the State Rookie of the Year honor to the ACC Freshman of the Year and ITA Atlantic Region Rookie of the Year awards. Nakashima finished the year in the national rankings in both singles (No. 64) and doubles (No. 11). He had a 17-5 record in singles and 20-3 mark in doubles.
 
In the junior ranks, Nakashima held a career-high world No. 4 ranking. The 2018 ITF Junior Masters world champion played in three Junior Grand Slams in the summer of 2019, making a run to the semifinals in singles at the Junior US Open. Nakashima currently ranks No. 370 in the professional ATP singles rankings, after advancing to a pair of Challenger semifinals this fall, including at the Charlottesville Pro Tennis Challenger held at the Boar’s Head Sports Club in October.
 
“On behalf of our student-athletes, coaches and fans, I would like to wish Brandon the very best of luck on the professional tour and thank him for always representing the orange and blue with tremendous pride and class,” said Virginia director of tennis and head men’s tennis coach Andres Pedroso. “Brandon made everyone associated with our program better, during his time in Charlottesville, and I know he will have the same positive impact on people as a professional tennis player.  There is no question that Brandon has a very bright future ahead of him and I look forward to watching him achieve his goals on the ATP Tour.”